Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 13:54-58)
Pagkatapos nga nakatudlo si Jesus sining mga paanggid, nagkadto siya sa iya banwa. Nagpanudlo siya didto sa simbahan sang mga Judio. Natingala ang mga nakabati sa iya mga ginatudlo. Kag nagpamangkutanay sila, "Diin bala siya nagkuha sina nga kaalam kag sang gahom sa paghimo sang mga milagro?
Indi bala nga anak siya sang panday? Indi bala si Maria ang iya iloy kag ang mga utod niya amo sila ni Santiago, Jose, Simon, kag Judas?
Indi bala ang iya mga utod nga babayi nagaestar diri? Diin bala siya nagkuha sang iya abilidad?"
Gani indi gid sila magtuo sa iya. Nagsiling si Jesus sa ila, "Ang propeta ginatahod bisan diin luwas lang sa iya kaugalingon nga banwa kag panimalay."
Gani wala siya naghimo sang madamo nga mga milagro didto tungod nga indi sila magtuo sa iya.
***
Meditation:
Are you critical towards others, especially those who are close to you? The most severe critics are often people very familiar to us, a member of our family, a relative, neighbor, student, or worker we rub shoulders with on a regular basis. Jesus faced a severe testing when he returned to his home town, not simply as the carpenter's son, but now as a rabbi with disciples. It would have been customary for Jesus to go to the synagogue each week during the Sabbath, and when his turn came, to read from the scriptures during the Sabbath service. His hometown folks listened with rapt attention on this occasion because they had heard about the miracles he had performed in other towns. What sign would he do in his hometown? Jesus startled them with a seeming rebuke that no prophet or servant of God can receive honor among his own people. The people of Nazareth took offense at him and refused to listen to what he had to say. They despised his preaching because he was a carpenter from the working class, and a mere layman untrained by religious scholars. They also despised him because of his family background. After all, Joseph was a tradesman as well and Mary had no special social distinctions.
How easily familiarity breeds contempt. Jesus could do no mighty works in his hometown because the people who were familiar with him were closed-minded and despised his claim to speak and act in the name of God. If people come together to hate and refuse to understand others different than themselves, then they will see no other point of view than their own and they will refuse to love and accept others. How do you view those who are familiar to you? With kindness and respect or with a critical and judgmental spirit?
The Lord Jesus offers us freedom from sin, prejudice, contempt, and fear. His love and grace sets us free to love others with the same grace and mercy which he has shown to us. Only Jesus can truly set us free from the worst tyranny possible — slavery to sin and the fear of death. His victory on the cross brings us pardon and healing, and the grace to live holy lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. Do you know the joy and freedom which Christ's love brings to our hearts?
"Lord Jesus, your love conquers every fear and breaks the power of hatred and prejudice. Flood my heart with your mercy and compassion, that I may treat my neighbor with the same favor and kindness which you have shown to me."
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